Board of Directors

South Jersey Robotics is supported by a dynamic Board of Directors. The board supports and drives the mission and vision of SJR while working with engaged volunteers to enhance and improve SJR’s programs.

Kathy Simpkins, President
Jennifer Pohlhaus, Vice President/Secretary
Michelle Koger, Treasurer
Jane Best-Weick, Board Member
Michael Gorman, Board Member
Alan Hinde, Board Member
Lunatecs FRC 316 Student Representative
Velocity FRC 5420 Student Representative

Board Committees

Executive Committee:

Chair: Kathy Simpkins
The Executive Committee is chaired by the SJR President. Members include the Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. This committee acts in lieu of an Executive Director and meets monthly to discuss and make recommendations about the organization’s finances, approve resolutions, discuss immediate issues, make decisions about finances and programmatic strategies. In general, the executive committee is empowered to act on behalf of the board between meetings.

Purpose:
It is the responsibility of this Committee to prepare the SJR Budget and submit it for Board approval at the at the Q4 meeting. This budget shall include estimated income sources and appropriate estimates of expenditures of committees and teams.

Activities and Responsibilities:

  • Handle urgent issues, resolving any emergency or organizational crisis
  • Perform policy work, carrying out specific directions of the board, and taking action on policies when they affect the work of the executive committee or when the full board directs the committee to do so.
  • Initiate the board’s involvement in establishing a strategic framework or direction
  • Assume the lead in the search for a new board members
  • Act in the role of Executive Director and as a resource for Program Directors

Finance Committee

Chair: Michelle Koger

The Finance Committee is chaired by the SJR Treasurer. Members include the Fundraising Director and two other members. This group meets as needed and will prepare an annual SJR Budget, inclusive of team budgets, and submit it for Board approval at the Q4 board meeting.

Purpose:

It is the responsibility of this Committee to prepare the SJR Budget and submit it for Board approval at the at the Q4 meeting. This budget shall include estimated income sources and appropriate estimates of expenditures of committees and teams.

Activities and Responsibilities:

  • Prepares a consolidated annual budget the SJR Budget and submit it for Board approval at the at the Q4 meeting.  The budget shall be prepared in consultation with the various SJR Team/Program Managers. The budget shall specify expenditures for all teams, officers, and committees of SJR.
  • Produces regularly the financial records of SJR.
  • Makes recommendations to The Board regarding means of increasing SJR’s income, investment policies, justifiable expenditures, and cash balances.
  • Makes recommendations The Board concerning the raising and disbursing of funds relative to the various programs/teams.
  • Assists in the performance of the Treasurer’s duties.
  • Recommends policy relative to allowable expenses concerned with the necessary travel of teams, officers or committee members.
  • Sets rules (subject to Board approval) relative to required receipts and record keeping on the expenditure of budgeted funds by teams, officers, or committee members.
  • Reviews activities of teams and committees to ensure coordination of solicitations in support of SJR.

Development and Outreach Committee

Chair: Kathy Simpkins

The committee is chaired by the Development Chair who is a voting member of The SJR Board and three other members. This group meets as needed and focuses on outreach, obtaining grants, and donor and corporate sponsor relations.

Purpose:

This group has the authority to act on behalf of SJR with regards to partnerships and relationships with corporate entities and government granting agencies in an effort to obtain financial support for the SJR.

Activities and Responsibilities:

  • Contact corporate representatives to establish and maintain long-term relationships which will yield sponsorship and corporate donors.
  • Grow the pool of corporate sponsors/donors.
  • Develop and maintain a prospect pool.
  • Develop and implement an annual fundraising campaign.
  • Create development programs to be utilized by individual teams.
  • Explore and coordinate outreach opportunities that further the mission of SJR.

If you are interested in working with the SJR Board on committees or in any other capacity, please email info@sjrobotics.com